Documentation and Knowledge Management in California State University Libraries

From RG-Bibliowiki

"Knowledge management: The process of creating, capturing, and using knowledge to enhance organizational performance. Knowledge management is most frequently associated with two types of activities. One is to document and appropriate individuals' knowledge and then disseminate it through such venues as a companywide database. Knowledge management also includes activities that facilitate human exchanges using such tools as groupware, email, and the Internet."

From "Harnessing the Power of Intellectual Capital," by Laurie Bassi, in Training & Development, December 1997.

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Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to survey the use and scope of internal and external documentation and knowledge management practices within academic libraries of the California State University (CSU) System. The need for library documentation has been recognized since library organizations became too large to rely on informal oral communication for day-to-day procedures, guidelines and policies. The pace of change in information technology in general has in many cases transformed library technologies and structures. With every change, librarians and library staff must adapt old practices and initiate new ones in order to maintain an effective organization. In addition, the majority of current librarians will retire within a relatively short time, potentially leaving major gaps in institutional knowledge.

Knowledge management in the business world has been researched and developed extensively, but to a much lesser extent in the library world. Some work, including recent surveys by Miksa and others, have focused on documentation and tools in the area of technical services. This study aims to broaden the scope by examining documentation practices in both individual departments and in the libraries overall. Data will be gathered from CSU libraries through an online survey followed by short interviews with a small number of respondents. The data will be analyzed for patterns and trends, with an eye toward a broader study among libraries across the U.S.

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